Washington · Big TenJedd Fisch endorses 24-team College Football Playoff
Washington’s coach says a larger field would better justify roster spending and keep Big Ten teams in contention after a loss.
OCT 3, 2026
With Washington 3-1 after its Sept. 26 loss to Minnesota, coach Jedd Fisch endorsed expanding the College Football Playoff from 12 teams to 24, arguing a larger field would keep more Big Ten teams alive through October and November.
“Love it. We need it,” Fisch said.
“My biggest reason is, you know, if you’re gonna spend, let’s call it after the act passes, call it $35 to $40 million on your roster, are you really gonna pay for that for to play 12 games and then eight teams, or six teams, or 12 teams get to keep going?” Fisch said.
Washington finished 9-4 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten in 2025. A 24-team field could give the Huskies and other teams in deep conferences more room to recover from a loss instead of sharply damaging their playoff path. Washington is scheduled to play at USC on Oct. 3.
Fisch also compared the proposed field with the NFL, where he said 14 of 32 teams reach the playoffs. Whether college football expands to 24 teams remains undecided.
“So I just think it’s a better way to do it, and I think it’ll give all of us a better opportunity to keep grinding through October and November, and never know what game might be the most important one,” Fisch said.